The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) today (the 28th) announced a new confirmed case of imported measles in the country, a man in his 30s from central Taiwan. In early April 2026, he traveled to Japan; after returning, he developed fever and cough on April 16 and sought medical care multiple times. After the rash appeared on April 20, he sought care again and was confirmed positive after reporting and testing. Health authorities have currently identified 274 related contacts, with monitoring expected until May 12.
The CDC explained that Taiwan has recorded a total of 9 measles cases this year, ranging in age from under 1 year to over 50 years. Among them, 2 are domestically acquired cases and 7 are imported cases, with one case each from Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Japan.
The CDC stated that the global measles epidemic continues, with Asian countries such as Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan still reporting cases. In Japan, the outbreak is rising, with a cumulative total of 299 reported cases up to April 15 this year, primarily in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kagoshima, Aichi, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures. In week 15, there were 56 new confirmed cases in a single week, mainly in Tokyo and Kanagawa. In the Americas, Mexico’s epidemic remains severe with over 10,000 cases to date, Guatemala’s cases have risen to over 3,500, and the United States reports over 1,700 cases. In Europe, the United Kingdom has reported over 400 cumulative cases. The CDC has issued travel health advisories for 11 countries—including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Guatemala, Mexico, Vietnam, and India—at level 2: Alert, urging the public to take enhanced protection when traveling there; additionally, 34 countries such as Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom are classified as level 1: Watch, reminding travelers to follow general preventive measures locally.
The CDC reminds that measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, and the public should ensure that young children receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine on schedule. Because vaccine‑induced immunity may wane over time, adults born in 1966 or later who plan to travel to areas with measles transmission are advised to consult a travel medicine clinic 2–4 weeks before departure and consider paying for an MMR booster. Pregnant women and infants under 1 year are high‑risk groups and should avoid endemic areas; if a baby older than 6 months but under 1 year must travel, parents should take the child to a health center or travel medicine clinic before departure for a paid dose of MMR. While abroad, individuals should maintain personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid touching the mouth and nose, and wear a mask when appropriate to reduce infection risk.
The CDC urges that anyone who has traveled to an area with measles activity and develops fever, rash, rhinitis, cough, conjunctivitis, or other suspected measles symptoms within three weeks of returning should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform the physician of their travel and exposure history. Additionally, if you have had contact with a confirmed case or have been notified by the local health bureau as a contact, you must follow the “Measles Case Contact Health Monitoring Notice,” conduct proper health monitoring and protective measures, and if symptoms appear, wear a mask, self‑isolate, and contact the health bureau quickly for medical arrangement. Do not ignore or self‑treat; failure to comply with self‑health management regulations may result in a fine of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 under Articles 48 and 67 of the Communicable Disease Control Act. Because early measles symptoms are often nonspecific and vaccinated individuals may present atypically, physicians should remain vigilant, inquire about TOCC (travel, occupation, contact, and crowding) during patient visits, and strengthen suspected case diagnosis and reporting. For more information, visit the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention line 1922 (or 0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Surveillance Office
